Comments on: Moves coming in Columbus, Edmonton, Raleigh?

By: Steven_Leafs

Steven_Leafs — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:40:34 +0000

no kidding, get that guy inked to an extension like right *****ing now.

By: TmLeafan

TmLeafan — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:14:50 +0000

Hopefully JML is back soon, after last night it is clear how much we miss him.

Last nights effort was just pathetic all round the Hurricanes are brutal the only bright spots were Kadri who looked great again and Kulemin who probably had his best game of the year.

By: blaze

blaze — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:29:58 +0000

How good would Staal look in Leafs jersey? No ones untouchable for that guy.

By: TheLeafNation91

TheLeafNation91 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:20:23 +0000

Claude Noel's done a great job.

Just like MacLean, they are a hardworking team.

Won't be surprised if the Leafs lost that game.

I've questioned the work ethic of the Leafs all season. Inconsistency has been a huge issue with this team. At times they look great, other times, they are just outworked and it destroys them in the end,

For example, yesterday, they were up 3-1...In the last 10 minutes, they were brutal.

Aulie had a horrible pinch which led to a Staal breakaway. They were completely manhandled on the third goal which led to one of those gritty goals that wins you games.

They were destroyed on their PP.

By: blaze

blaze — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:46:59 +0000

It will be interesting to see how they rebound against Winnipeg in their own barn. A rough stretch here could force Burke to do something.

By: blaze

blaze — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:18:54 +0000

Getting Paul MacLean was the best move Murray ever made.

By: habs79

habs79 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:46:03 +0000

Regardless of why the Leafs are bad defensively, an opposing GM will look at the situation and wonder why if this team is so bad defensively this kid has only played 7 games all year. Also when you consider the time he spent in the ahl, 15 game 0 points and a -10 I doubt other GMs would be so eager to get him.

I've already stated that Richards had ONE 80 point season NOT 80+ just 80. He also had one 75 point season, and the last couple of seasons he had 62 and 66. Getzlaf in the last 5 years put up 82, 91, 69(in 66 games), 76(in 67 games). Had it not been for injuries his last couple of years would have been 80+ and 90+. You are going to have to give up alot more for Getzlaf than for Richards.

As for Malkin you are right he is not a second line center. However LA traded for a guy they knew would be there second line center. If you trade for Malkin you trade for a guy you know will be your first line center unless you have Sidney Crosby on your team, but then you wouldn't trade for a Malkin.

Not instrumental and a second line center? Really? Not only did he lead the team in scoring, he also lead the forwards in ice time. As for elite talent, he lead them in scoring they were insulated by his talent. As for Philly and the run they made 2 years ago. Briere lead the team in scoring so don't forget his talent. Claude Giroux was right behind Richards don't forget his. Also we should not we should not forget a defense that included Pronger Carle and Timmonen, Simone Gagne is a very talented guy. Big physical Scott Hartnell can't forget him.

As for tougher opponent, Montreal took out the two favorites in Washington and Pittsburgh, but they were too small to handle Philly physicality.

By: thisgamewelose

thisgamewelose — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:40:41 +0000

Offer Bobby Ryan an offer than can't refuse. "No way, Ryan is only good because he has Getzlaf feeding him the puck"

Getzlaf is more valuable than Richards. "Nah, Getzlaf is good because he's playing with elite talent"

By: leafmeister

leafmeister — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:51:24 +0000

Well at one point they couldn't afford to play him. Maybe it was just at the start of the season. Either way, I still think downgrading Schenn to Kadri and Bobrovsky to Gustovsson is worth getting Franson. Pronger could be done for good, they need help back there.

By: leafmeister

leafmeister — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:48:40 +0000

Komisarek had a good camp, Aulie didnt. Simple as that. As team, the Leafs are weak defensively, meaning they don't play a good system. But individually, they have good defensemen. Having a good defense is half having good players, and half coaching those players to do the right things out there. So while the team is weak defensively, they still have defensive depth. That is pretty hard to argue.

Regardless of where he plays on the team, playing a two-way game and putting up 80+ points is a 1st line center. Malkin played behind Crosby, but that doesnt make him a 2nd line center.

Getzlaf does have a cup, that is true, but his role on that team was fairly minor compared to the role he plays know. He was a 2nd line center on an absolute powerhouse of a team. Mike Richards was much more instrumental in carrying the Flyers to the cup finals than Getzlaf was in helping the Ducks to win. The 2010 Flyers were primarily Richards/Carter/Pronger team, Getzlaf was just a part of Pronger/Niedermayer/Selanne's Team. He did lead them in scoring, but you have to appreciate how insulated by elite talent he was. Not saying Richards did it by himself, but he scored at a better pace, faced a tougher opponent in the finals, and did not have the same quality roster.

I don't know that Richards is the better leader, it is just a sense you get from the way he plays.